Have questions about Camp Mikell and what your child's experience might be like?
Our Frequently Asked Questions section should be able to answer a lot of them. Still have questions? Please contact Amanda Price at amanda@campmikell.com
General
It is difficult to put into words the work of the Holy Spirit, the sense of community, love, and life transforming experiences here at Camp Mikell.
For generations, people have been coming to Mikell. Many of these people have left Mikell for ordained ministry, lay ministry, and with changed views of life and God. Something else that comes to mind is the number of people who have met their future spouse and the life long friendships that are formed here.
Why does this happen? We believe that it is because people are known authentically here. People can be themselves, experience love, learn about responsibility in a community, learn acceptance of themselves and others, and experience the love of God. This is powerful stuff. Mikell takes conscious steps to rapidly and deeply develop community each week.
The permanent staff, summer staff, counselors, Deans and their staff and nurse all strive to help the young people here learn to love themselves and each other more deeply. When we welcome the campers on that first evening, we have them look around the room and try to find someone there just like them. Of course, there isn’t anyone in the room as special as each of our campers.
We try to instill in them that they are truly a gift from God, and if they weren’t here with us, we would all suffer because of it. Each child is special in their own way, and each child is charged to step out and share themselves with the group for the week.
We can’t begin to tell you what it means to, the staff, and counselors for a child to come to camp and then get it – the love, the self-assurance, the connection, the Mikell Magic.
At Camp Mikell, we take your child’s safety very seriously. We believe that safety not only encompasses your child’s physical safety but also their emotional and spiritual safety as well. We can’t promise that your child will not get hurt or sick, but we take great caution in protecting your child.
The summer staff are all trained in Healthcare Provider Level (the same as medics, nurses and doctors) CPR, or Basic Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation. This training includes more advanced airway maintenance training as well as training on an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED. Mikell has a state of the art AED on our premises. In addition, the summer staff are trained in Red Cross First Aid.
Our staff member who takes the older campers on the Creek Hike is additionally trained in Wilderness First Aid.
The summer staff are trained for possible disaster scenarios, such as a fire or tornado. These procedures are also reviewed by our counselors.
We will have either an RN or Nurse Practitioner on site while your child is here. In addition, the Director is a GA licensed paramedic and certified firefighter. Rest assured, your child/camper will be in good hands if an emergency arises.
Mikell provides hand sanitizer on each table in the dining hall. In addition, your child is encouraged to maintain personal hygiene during the week.
Your child will be supervised 24/7 while at Mikell. Most of the time, there will be a college-age staff person and high school-age counselor with your camper. At times, such as during our morning staff meetings, the campers will be with a counselor. Know that there is a direct phone line from both hills to our meeting area if a problem were to arise.
At Mikell, staff will work to help campers achieve the following goals:
Experience new independence and responsibility:
Specific activities – cabin duties, choosing activities, being away from home, camping duties at Outdoor camps
Outcomes – Campers will take responsibility during cabin cleanup duties; will be able to handle their own personal hygiene regiment, etc.
Do something they haven’t done before
Specific activities – Skit night, climbing tower, ropes course
Outcomes – Campers will try an activity they haven’t tried before such as one of the adventure activities, participating in a skit or jumping off the diving board.
Practice socialization away from parents or teachers
Specific activities – making friends in cabins, working together, dances
Outcomes – Campers will successfully make new friends on their own and learn to cooperate with their peer group through small group and cabin time.
Spiritual growth which enables them to deal with challenging spiritual and ethical issues
Specific activities – Morning program time, prayer time, and daily ethical issues
Outcomes – Campers will thoughtfully discuss spiritual issues, both those brought forth in structured Christian Education time as well as ethical issues that may arise in a cabin or camp activity.
Let’s review a typical day at Mikell:
7:30am – Wake up Bell
8:00am – Breakfast
8:45am – Campers and Counselors up to the cabins for cabin cleanup. Summer staff, Dean’s staff and nurse have morning meeting
9:30am – Everyone to the Old Dining Hall for morning singing and then Dean’s program
12:15pm – Lunch and announcements for afternoon activities
12:45pm – Up to the cabins for rest period (Counselors and staff rotate for some time off, but campers always supervised)
2:00pm – Down the hill for First Period*
3:00pm – Second Period*
4:00pm – Canteen
4:30pm – 3rd Period*
5:30pm – Up the hill to change clothes and clean up for supper
6:00pm – Supper
6:45pm – Four square/Games/Hang out time
7:30pm – Evening activities begin
Snack and Compline/Prayer Time
Bedtime (Depends on the age of campers)
*Afternoon Activities: Our afternoon activities vary depending on the age of the camp. Standard activities include nature hikes, playing in the creek, recreation periods (softball, frisbees, field games, and others), arts and crafts, swimming in the pool, and sometimes camp wide activities like the Whacky Wode Wace, Pool Party, Field Day, etc. For our older campers, we offer the Climbing Tower, High Ropes Course, and Creek Hike.
Canteen: During Canteen, campers receive their mail, take a break and build community, and have options for a drink and snack. Major brand candy, chips (regular and baked) and sometimes, watermelon are offered. Please note: we do not serve foods with nuts during Canteen for summer campers.
Evening Activities: Evening activities vary with the age group. A bonfire with s’mores and stories takes place every where, as well as Skit/Talent Night. Other evening activities may include themed dances, three-ball soccer, capture the flag, carnival, who can get it there first, night swims and parties in our lit pool, and movie night.
A basic list of needed items includes:
- Bed linens and a blanket or sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Towels
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, comb/brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
- Shoes (closed-toe shoes for hiking/recreation and another pair are recommended)
- Any medications that your child may take (these will be turned in to the nurse at registration)
- Enough clothes for the week
- Long sleeve shirt or jacket
- Pair of pants (Work campers: bring 2-3 pairs of pants that you do not mind getting dirty)
- Bathing suit
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Hat
- Flashlight
- Bug spray
- Sun protection lotion/spray
- Water bottle
- Item(s) to tie dye (suggested items: pillowcases, socks & tee shirts)
Additional items include:
- Money: A Mikell summer T-shirt, canteen each day, and the camp picture are included in the price for camp. Your camper will not need any money unless they would like to buy something in the Store, which is only open the day of registration and the last morning of camp. If you are dropping off your camper or picking them up at camp, you might not want to have the camper bring money. If there are purchases in the Store, you can shop with your camper during registration or when you check your camper out. Mikell is not responsible for any money lost by a camper.
It is recommended that you label everything with your camper’s name in permanent ink.
If your child becomes sick at camp, they will be taken to the nurse. There will be opportunities to see the nurse at each meal and at bedtime. Also, if a child becomes sick any other time, the nurse is on site 24/7 and is available to take care of sick campers. We have a well-stocked infirmary with bed space and have standing orders from a local pediatrician for treatment. If the nurse believes a child needs to see a doctor, we will notify the parents, advise you of the situation, and get your input on the treatment for your child. Also, if your child is sick for more than 24 hours we will contact you. Stephens County has a local hospital and clinic that is within 10 minutes of Mikell.
In addition, the ambulance service is notified each spring about Mikell’s operation and location. The director also has a radio that connects directly to the ambulance service, fire department, sheriff’s department and the emergency room. If your child is hurt, an evaluation will be made by the nurse to see if your child needs a trip to the doctor or the emergency room. If an ambulance is needed, one will be called. In any such instance, the parents will be notified. Stephens County Hospital is a level 3 trauma center with a 24 hour-a-day emergency room.
Children do sometimes become homesick, and it happens at all ages. As a matter of fact, a recent study suggests that up to 90% of all children experience homesickness. About 20% of children experience homesickness to the point that it can affect their camp experience.
The team of the nurse, counselors, staff and director will do all that we can to deal with the homesickness. Often, after a child is here for a while and gets involved, the homesickness subsides. Sometimes it does not. If a child reaches the point where we feel that we are not effective in dealing with the situation, we will call a parent and get feedback from you. We will consult with you and plan a course of action for your child.
Mikell has excellent food service! For breakfast, we have a hot meal that includes such items as eggs, bacon or sausage, pancakes, hot cereal, a cold cereal bar, an assortment of juices, milk, yogurt, bagels, and water. For lunch, we have such items as hotdogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, punch, water, and our nearly 60-item salad bar.
For supper, we have such items as spaghetti, Mexican food, fried chicken, popcorn chicken, assorted vegetables, punch, water, and that wonderful salad bar.
In addition, there is canteen in the afternoon with an assortment of candy, chips and sometimes watermelon.
Also, before bedtime, there will be water and fruit.
The campers are encouraged to drink at least two glasses of water at each meal and water breaks are built in during the day. For camp wide events in the afternoon and evening, water coolers are available. We strive to keep the campers well hydrated.
PLEASE NOTE: We do not serve foods with nuts during canteen or meals for summer campers.
Rising 1st and 2nd Graders
Rising 3rd Graders
Rising 4th and 5th Graders
Rising 6th and 7th Graders
Rising 8th and 9th Graders
Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th Graders
Just graduated 12th Graders
Most definitely yes! Many campers do. For example, your child can come to Kid Camp and Performing Arts Camp or Youth and Work camps. The permanent and summer staff take a break between camps, so we will not be able to take care of your child between camp sessions.
Camp Leadership
At Camp Mikell, your children will be supervised 24 hours a day by either our summer staff, counselors, or both. The vast majority of the summer staff and counselors grew up at Mikell during their summers. They know what is expected of them. All of the staff and counselors go through a screening process and extensive training and are supervised constantly by the director.If your child becomes sick or injured, the camp nurse will take care of your child in our health center.
If an issue arises in which the staff or counselors do not feel comfortable about a situation or if they need help, the Director is on site and available to assist in any situation.
The Deans are either priests or Christian educators who volunteer their time and talents for a week at Mikell. They plan a program that is age-appropriate ahead of time, usually with a staff of other volunteers that they have assembled. This program sets the tone for the week and campers address issues at an age-appropriate level.
Each spring, the Mikell Director meets with the Deans and we come up with a theme for the summer. Deans can either follow this theme or come up with one of their own. Art activities, skits, small group discussions, videos, talks, etc. are all ways that the deans get their message across.
Even though Mikell is a Christian camp operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, we are open and inclusive to all denominations and religions. Each summer we have a wide variety of campers from different backgrounds. All are welcome at Mikell!
Contact
During the normal business week (Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm), someone will normally be in the office. The voice mail will be checked periodically in the evenings during camp sessions. Our office number is 706-886-7515.
In case of an emergency involving your camper, you will be notified at the earliest possible time.
The mail runs daily to Camp Mikell, except for Sundays and holidays.
Please send any mail to:
Camper’s Name
Camp Mikell,
237 Camp Mikell Court
Toccoa, GA 30577.
This next bit of information can save you on postage. Put a Care Package together before bringing your camper to camp, bring it with you, and then give it to a summer staffer during registration. Write on the package who it is for and what day you would like to have it delivered to your camper. We will take care of the rest.
We do not allow parents to phone their children during camp unless there is an emergency. Cell phones are not allowed during the camp week. Cell phones will be taken up during registration, along with car keys if the camper is old enough to drive, and they will be returned the last morning of camp. This rule is to protect your camper from misuse of camera phones and to allow your camper an experience of independence, which is an essential developmental skill.
To contact your child at camp if there is an emergency, please contact Anna Dinwiddie, Summer Camp Director, 706-886-7240.